Hey! Okay, so, a chapter dedicated to the courtship of Zim/Gaz and Dib/Amelia. A series of letters, and a slip of the tongue via a jealous friend. Could cause big trouble for Zim.
I also apologize if this seems all over the place. I hope it makes sense to you guys. And I'm correcting myself, the father/son dynamic won't be revisited until "Meet Me Inside."
After this chapter, we should be back on track with "Satisfied". I just wanted to dedicate a chapter to the courtship (I didn't want to jump right into the marriage) and Dib's progression in his investigation on his suspicions of Zim. A little ZAGR fluff awaits! Enjoy, and as always, please leave those encouraging reviews, thank you!
Chapter Six- Helpless Letters
"Dear Gaz,
I write to you this evening to request to see you again. Our rendezvous was quite memorable and I desire more. When I return from battle, I wish to continue to see you, and it will be glorious because I am amazing. You should feel honored to be contacted by ZIM to forgo this magical lust ride.
Yours, Zim."
"Dearest Amelia,
Meeting you has been an experience I shall not forget. I feel at ease with you, something I haven't been able to admit in a long time. I hope to see you again, and I hope to see you soon. You are never far from my thoughts, and I hope the same can be said on your end. I'm at ease with you. Although, admittedly, I am new to courting. Yet, I strongly doubt striking you in the marketplace would be appropriate as a courting initiation. Allow me to make it up to you when I see you next?
Always yours, Dib."
The letters came accordingly, exactly one week after the meet. Both men were to set off for the field again, but they didn't want to leave before sending these ladies their letters to express. Jacob Ryder had insisted Membrane's children station with his family. Finding Membrane's actions unfavorable, even sober, Ryder could see—any blind man could see for that fact that Dib and Gazlene were his friend's children. However, that was a matter for John Membrane to settle. Yet, that didn't mean he couldn't extend a fatherly arm to the young man and woman.
Gaz was less than delighted with the idea of being cooped up in the large estate with the other puffy gowns, a four-year-old, and a baby on the way. In fact, Gaz was sitting in her room, which was one of the guest rooms, decorated simply and offered by Nancy to be decorated any way she wished. To Gaz, that meant that decorating this room and being in this house was an extended stay and she wasn't having any of that. Currently, her mind was at ease as she read the letter from Zim, set in her mind to escape during the night to meet him where he requested. She relished in the thick paper between her fingers, finding relief in Zim's letter to her. Someone who understood her, who was a little quirky, and she never received a letter that wasn't an eviction notice. She considered that kind of nice.
Amelia sat in the tea parlor with her letter, Gretchen carrying a tray as she eyed her sister. "From Dib?" Gretchen inquired. The smile on her sister's face answered her without Amelia verbally replying.
"He says I'm never far from his thoughts," she sighed happily.
"I'm sure you're not the first he's said that to," Gretchen retorted, causing her sister's smile to vanish. Was it from jealousy? But, there was some truth behind her words.
"Amelia, I know you're excited. But…" Gretchen paused to measure all of the information she had gathered. He was a penniless soldier courting a wealthy young woman. The pieces fit where they counted. Was he handsome? Undoubtedly so. His smile beheld enough charm to court a harem.
"But what?"
Gretchen could hear the defense laced in Amelia's tone as her words were sharp.
"He's the type of man who will do what it takes to survive."
"It's a ruthless world out there," Amelia reasoned, settling the letter down upon her lap to show she was well aware of what her sister was implying. "But, I've never felt this way before, Gretchen. No man has ever ignited this feeling inside of me, and we've encountered our share to form an army of their own, an army gaggle of suitors. I'll take caution, but I don't sense fear. I don't fear these feelings for him, and I believe he is genuine towards me. He needs a chance."
She was afraid of those words, but couldn't stop the process from happening as the letters kept coming. When she was alone with her thoughts, Amelia snuck away into the kitchen to pen another letter.
"My Dearest Dib,
I long to see you again. I miss you. I think of you often, as that fateful day in the marketplace revisits me in my dreams. It was the invitation to our meeting, and I regret none of it. I wear that dress now fondly. As new as all of this is for you, it is the same for me. I look forward to learning more about one another. Do not feel obligated to make anything up to me, seeing you again has allowed us to embark on this journey together. However, if you truly feel you must, return to me whole so I may look into those eyes again. Until then.
Yours, Amelia."
"Zim,
Have you found a way to annihilate my brother, yet? Perhaps try applying gunpowder to his morning coffee. Ever since encountering you, and since your departure, I feel lonesome. I…don't exactly like this feeling, so please hurry back. I don't know if I could knit another scarf without wrapping it around one of their necks. When you return, we shall resume.
-Gaz."
Zim's lips curled into a grin as he received the letter, away from her, listening to General Membrane bark orders to Dib as his quill scratched along the paper as he wrote them down. He could see the silhouette from the tent in the candlelight. Zim reached behind him and tapped his PAK, retrieving a quill and inkwell to reply to her. She was truly unique, and worth fighting for. That was something Zim was never able to process, a worthy individual of Zim's time and feelings. It was a new type of excitement.
"Little Gaz,
Do not allow the impending darkness to swallow you, yet. I shall return before you know it. We shall resume with much vigor.
-Zim."
When Dib had a moment alone, he sat back in his seat as the General slumbered. The wax had almost melted from its wear, and he normally judged his work time based on how much candlelight he had. Having finished early that evening, Dib decided to indulge and reread Amelia's letter again. He had so much to discuss with her, so much about the paranormal and getting to know her better. He managed to secure a better lodging for Gaz, and one he didn't have to pour a paycheck into. Perhaps Mr. Ryder was doing that on the off chance he and his daughter did marry so that they could save up for a residence of their own. It was much to process, the idea of having a house, a wife, some children; ideas he never believed could fall into fruition. Before the wax completely melted, he dipped the quill into the inkwell and penned another letter. After he thought about it, he really did want to see her again.
"Dearest Amelia,
I'm considering asking General Membrane for some time off to come see you. All I seem to do is imagine your face, and I take that as a sign to come to you and hold you in my arms. This seems odd for me to say, but I feel I can pen this to you—my feelings. I wish to return to you so that I may do more than look into your eyes.
Ever yours, Dib."
He sealed the letter, prepared to send it out in the morning as he looked down at it gently. With the letter hanging at his side, he proceeded to withdraw from the tent as the candle fizzled out and walked towards his own.
Zim turned the letter in his hand, studying the curves of her cursive and compared them to her own supple curves. Madge peered over to Zim occasionally, his false brows knitting together in concern. He tilted back in his seat, playing devil's advocate on whether or not the chair would ultimately tip over as Zim appeared balanced, yet distracted. Tapping his own PAK, one of Madge's spider legs withdrew and caused the chair to tip over, taking Zim down with it.
Zim cursed and tossed a boot at Madge, only for Madge to evade the book and then gave him a look that read volumes. Less distraction, more focus on the mission.
"One more time, Madge," he said warningly.
"Read that letter one more time as opposed to mapping out plans," Madge challenged, watching Zim relent with a glare, hiding the letter inside his PAK.
"What letter? You know, you're awfully nosy."
"What letter? As if I'm stupid. I'm simply observing the quite and obvious. The human you're having a love affair with," Madge nearly growled. Zim's eyes narrowed upon defense of Gaz. He was honestly somewhat startled upon defending her.
"Mind your own, Madge. Before we settle this like Irken soldiers do."
"And risk exposure? You're a fool, Zim. You're without sense. You want to kill the humans, and now you love the humans. Pick one and stick with it. I witnessed you leave the party with the pale faced woman, clearly not an Irken in disguise. You allowed your defenses to be lowered. Do you not realize what this could cost us!?"
Dib heard yelling from several tents away from his own, pausing, listening to see if it required interjection or intervention. He crept cautiously towards the tent. The heads of Joshua and Alexander popped out from their tent, Dib motioned for them to go back inside. If this was something that could be settled through words, then he would leave it be. Otherwise, he would be recruiting Joshua, Alexander, and Laurent before waking the General.
It seemed Zim lacked a reasonable response, which lied within his hesitation. "And you do not realize the GENIUS in this plan. Lower the humans' defenses so then we may sink ourselves into them-"
"NOT through copulation, you MORON!" Madge hollered. Zim's blood began to boil. How he managed to find that out was beyond him, unless he was followed by something or someone.
As Dib neared the tent, he heard the enunciated key words and clung close by. The shouts came from Zim's tent, and it seemed the other voice belonged to his friend, Madge.
"For someone so fearful of exposure, you're doing a fantastic job of doing the opposite! Who's to say the human won't turn against you!?"
Zim balked. "She would never."
"Because your goddamn squeedlyspooch told you!?"
What in all of creation was a squeedlyspooch? Dib frowned and listened further in. This just supported his speculation of the trio. From the first night he laid eyes on them, he knew something was amiss. Dib crouched down when he heard Zim growl in displeasure and swing the tent flap open, striking Dib and knocking him over onto the dirt.
"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Zim groaned. "Who's there?"
Although Dib kept quiet. No one had yet shined a candle on him, he crept backward on his hands and knees, heart racing.
"Reveal yourself to ZIM!"
"If you do not control your voice, soldier, I will reveal myself to you and I have doubts you want that!" General Membrane called from his tent. "Lights out!"
"Heed my warning now," Zim's voice dimmed to a growl. "I will find out who you are. I have ways of knowing. Let this be the last peaceful sleep you ever know."
Dib blinked, remaining still. The more he moved, the more noise he made with his body shuffling against the dirt. Scrambling away was out of the question. If that didn't raise any red flags, he was uncertain what would.
"Gaz, I thought we could take a walk in the garden," Amelia offered, knocking upon the other woman's door. She wanted Gaz to feel welcomed in their home, understanding how trying it could be, and especially in a stranger's home. So, on a particularly bright afternoon, Amelia thought it would be a good idea to arrange something special.
"So what? We can sing a washwoman's tune and knit scarves for the less fortunate?" She replied behind the closed door.
Amelia placed her palm to the door and shook her head. "Not quite. I was thinking we can take lunch outside, spend some time together. Maybe talk?"
"Is anyone else looking to join us?"
"Not if you don't want there to be," Amelia replied. "It can be just you and me."
Silence came from the other end, Amelia pressing her ear to the door before hearing the familiar creak of the bed, feet padding along the wooden flooring. She stepped backwards as the door opened, women meeting eye to eye. Amelia stood firm, knowing this intimidation tactic to be a thing of the young woman to scare others into submission.
"Look, if you think this is going to be a session, I talk about my problems and then cry, you're mistaken."
"Why don't you stop assuming and see for yourself?" Amelia's tone was firm to match Gaz's.
"Perhaps you're not all sunflowers and puffy gowns," Gaz murmured, gesturing for Amelia to guide the way to where she had in mind for their luncheon.
"Puffy gowns?" Amelia inquired, walking along the hallway, matching the pace of the other.
The house was quiet, her mother had taken her daughters into town for a walk of their own. Amelia remained behind to try to warm Gaz up. She heard the gentle clinking of their silverware and plates as the servants polished them and put them away. But, if there was one sound that Amelia registered, it was the rumble of hooves against the dirt. She had registered that sound ever since she was a little girl and her father was a General. Her ears were trained to detect when her father would near, that meant he survived another battle.
"What's that sound?"
"Horses," Amelia said, glancing back at Gaz, her hair swirling around her as she descended the staircase.
"Hurry Gaz, I believe our brothers have surprised us home." Her smile radiated as Gaz remained at the top of the staircase to see if she was on target. That would mean Zim would be with them, as they all managed to travel together. Gaz knew Zim did it for her, otherwise, he would have disappeared. Well, at least this got her out of yet another Ryder family adventure.
His hair was windswept by the horseback ride, but Dib dismounted his horse and petted it, Joshua and Alexander following Dib's lead. They would guide the horses into the rear stables for rest and water. Zim trotted behind them, making an entrance as Amelia stepped outside to greet them. Dib wanted to keep Zim close for a little while longer.
"I knew it was you!" Her face lit up as Dib laid eyes on her and opened his arms as she ran into them, caring not about the dirt that clung to his jacket. Dib tightened his arms around her, holding her to him as he leaned down to kiss the top of her hair, smelling the oils she used to compliment her.
"I thought I'd come surprise you," Dib said as he separated them, so he could look down at her gingerly. That, and he wanted to talk to her about what he had heard a few nights prior if and or when they had time alone, or when they could manage to sneak it.
Zim dismounted the beast grumpily, glancing around for something or someone. He sought for Gaz, and verbally announcing who he sought would give everything away.
"Mr. Zim, it's a pleasure to see you again. Would you like to come inside?" Amelia said, turning her head towards the other. His complexion appeared less than healthy and her face dropped. "Goodness, are you catching ill? Please, come right inside. I'll get you something warm to drink. Where are my brothers?"
Zim was cut off by Dib, as Zim had opened his mouth to snappily reply, Dib intervened. That seemed to be an annoying habit of his.
"They're safe and well. They're settling the horses to rest," Dib assured her. I told them to come meet us inside when they're finished. Is everyone home?"
"Mother took the others into town and father is having a meeting with the other delegates. They should all be around later this evening for supper."
Her response was satisfactory as he nodded. He'd be able to have her alone to talk about important matters.
"But, you must come inside. I was just about to have lunch with your sister." Upon hearing of Gaz, Zim turned his head towards Amelia. "Mr. Zim, you don't look well at all. Positively green!"
Dib rubbed her forearms as she expressed her distress towards the other. He acknowledged Zim's greener complexion, but he didn't take it to be that of illness. It was no flicker this time, he was losing his peachy tone without his friend Madge at his side. Zim would never allow her to see him sweat, but Dib knew he was as uncomfortable as he looked. Yet, somehow, no one but Dib seemed to pay it any mind.
"Yes, Zim, you look positively sickly. Perhaps you should see a medic."
"I'll be fine, Dib stink. I'm certain it's from the ride here."
"Really?" Dib challenged. "You've never been sick on horseback before."
Amelia's voice was on Gaz's nerves. She stepped outside to hear the others and see for herself what the fuss was about, Zim's green hue caused Gaz to take initiative. Zim laid eyes on the other, his tense shoulders dropping. He even looked, dare he admit it, relieved.
"I'll run a bath," Gaz said flatly, which caused Dib to jerk his head in his sister's direction. No hello, no hug. He shouldn't have expected one, but, at least she was safe and well.
Seeing the look of hurt in his eyes, Amelia decided to vocalize, "Gaz, don't you have anything to say to your brother?"
"He's here."
"And he's knocking on death's door," Zim grumbled, following Gaz inside, glaring towards the outside of the home.
Amelia frowned as she watched the other woman escort Zim inside before she shivered. Spring was rounding the bend, but the winter chill still threatened to hang in the air. Dib looked down at Amelia before ushering her inside.
"You'll catch cold."
"And now you're here to warm me up," she allowed the words to tease on her lips as she smiled. Dib chuckled and wrapped his arm around her, walking up the stairs and closing the door behind him as the couple lingered in the foyer.
"Amelia, I need to talk to you when we have a moment. I don't have long to stay, I'm afraid. Maybe a night or so before we head back out. But, I needed to see you, letters weren't enough.
He cupped her cheek. "I've missed you dearly, but, I need to talk to you, though. Do you remember when we discussed the paranormal?"
Amelia shook her head, although closed her hand over his. "Dib, slow down. You're going way too fast. Take your time."
"That's just it. There isn't much of it. I have one question for you," Dib swallowed.
"And what question might that be?"
"Do you know what a squeedlyspooch is?" Dib inquired. The perplexed look from Amelia was enough to cause Dib to shake his head.
"Exactly."